Performance Upgrade..or Not?

Newby here..to the forum..hello 4R community!

I have a ‘22 4Runner (my 4th) - decided recently to not sell/trade it, so instead, considering investing in performance upgrades. Looking for insight into chip upgrades, if they are worth the tariff and not voiding of warranty. If you’ve been there, done that..please offer some guidance.

 

Chip upgrades are an urban legend. They do not work. If you want more performance get a re-gear and/or a supercharger.

 

Supercharger or a real tune. It’s still gonna be a slow turd at the end of the day.

 

What used to be chip upgrades are now done with a PCM software flash. I got the OTT tune in 2023, been quite happy with it: https://overlandtailor.com/dyno-com...a-4runner-1gr-fe-4-0l-v6-naturally-aspirated/

 

Thanks guys!
San Angelo-are you saying even with the supercharger, still going to be a slow turd?

 

The TuRD is fast enough to surprise the hell out of the boy racer, fast and furious types. Played with one this morning, he wasn't happy when the "slow runner" broke traction of the 275 AT's and pulled away from him. He's probably shopping for a larger turbo right about now. The Maggie is pricey, but it's like having a whole new truck that's allot more enjoyable to drive.

 

I've heard good things about the OTT tune. Believe I read that you can supercharge AND tune after install, but not sure (outside of the tune that comes with the supercharger). I'm planning to do the Magnuson and maybe even eventually re-gear if I go the 35's route. I really only use mine for off roading so the highway higher rpm's won't come into play much.

I've done a lot of research on the Magnuson, seems to be as close to OEM reliability as possible, and that supercharger wine!!!

By most standards, it will still be "slow", but just less slow and a heck of a lot more fun !

Glad you decided to keep your 4R - always a good decision!

 

Another vote for an OTT tune. More lower end torque, improved shift logic, much better throttle response. For the money it’s the best performance upgrade available

 

Toyota used to sell the magnuson kit as a dealer installed option. Wish they still did in 2022 when I bought mine!

 

Welcome! You made a wise choice keeping the 4R!

 

I forgot that ! That's right....same here! At least they are available for '22+ now, for a while it was up to '21 but the computer mapping wasn't figured out yet for '22's.

Agree with you on OTT, definitely best bang for the buck.

 

Not entirely true. Chip upgrades is an old term, back when ECM had to have EPROM chips replaced to tune. Modern tuning is mostly done via OBD port, sometimes on the bench, where existing ECM reprogrammed.

In more general sense, tunes on a naturally aspirated engines are very limited to what they can do. Commonly, they remap for premium fuel, giving small performance increase, ~10HP or less. May make sense on a light car like Miata where it would be noticable, but will not make observable difference on a heavy 4Runner.

Tunes on turbocharged engines potentially could add a lot of power, as there are a lot of more parameters to work with, notably maximum boost. These tunes universally come with a downside of reduced reliability. So if you want to tune your forced induction (turbo or supercharged) engine sky is the limit, but the more you do, the more likely you will end up with spontaneous partial disassembly of your engine.

 

Generally, you need a new tune after you install supercharger on your NA engine. This is because stock maps won't have correct values for boost, so with SC and on stock tune you will be in danger of running lean and blowing up your engine with anything but minimal amount of boost.

In general, you can set up hardware and run minimal (i.e. 2-3 PSI) boost without tune safely. Anything more and your rods will quickly leave the chat.

In general, you shouldn't increase boost on NA engine without getting better internal hardware (forged pistons, etc.) and additional cooling. What is achievable supercharging stock block is open to discussion, but you will have to run premium fuel.

Last but not least, taking your car offload (slow speed, high load) is probably worst case scenario for causing heat issues and detonations. I don't know what boost OTT, etc. runs, but I'd stop at 10PSI for road-only, 8PSI if you offroad, and 6 PSI if you offroad in Arizona heat. To compare, a stock production engine designed for SC would run about 12 PSI, something like old school WRX would run at 18 PSI.

 

Yes correct. The Magnuson supercharger comes with said tune as part of the package. I believe I had read that some folks had re-tuned after that (I'd imagine essentially overriding the Magnuson tune) with something like OTT, but not sure.

I think the moral of the story is, we need more power folks! How cool would it have been if Toyota offered a V8 in the 5th Gen !!!

 

Maggie with OTT, it has/can be done.

 

I personally don't think it's worth really messing with it much but if the money is burning a hole in your pocket you could do worse things.

 

I personally think if you want to tune a car, make it on a track-focused vehicle. SC Miata on a curvy track is the most fun you could have with your pants on. If you like it raw, make that turbocharged.

 

Had one on my Tacoma and nah. It was just faster than an ecopoop stang but just slower than an ecopoop raptor.

https://youtu.be/sYq1C6ZTjUw?si=_jslSY23iHYY_QzM

 

Regear and get the OTT tune. The Maggie is ok but too much coin for only two ponies . If you want more power just get a different vehicle like the GX and be done.

 

……..

 

No tune. No supercharger. Just LS swap it lol. Get something for your money

 

I haven't driven a GX, are they really that much quicker ? They do have the V8, which is nice, but I'd imagine a bit more weight. Yes, the Magnuson is basically the price of a decent used car. Probably right on regear and OTT. But......no supercharger wine

 

AMEN

 

Tunes are just a few hundred $$. If you need so much power that you're going to LS swap, you might be driving the wrong vehicle.

 

No matter what vehicle is getting an LS swap, it's for fun, not need

 

Welcome

 

More body roll as you speed through turns after ott or supercharger? No thanks. I seriously think this vehicle is meant to be driven slow. So others can check it out and be jealous. At least that’s what I tell myself.

 

welcome

 

I got the mild version of the OTT tune, as the launch from stop was a bit too aggressive for my liking (it’s a jogger, not a sprinter). What I do like about the tune was that my adaptive cruise control was more enjoyable, especially on slight grades where it does down shift as much. I also have an Ultimate 9 pedal thingy, and I keep that in the Eco mode on its highest setting. The combined set up for me, has a much smoother launch and an improved avg of 1L/100kms and even better on longer trips. Since getting the tune last summer, it has paid for itself in fuel savings.

 

I can see LS swaps serving a purpose for old vehicles with worn out engines (or unrebuildable or unreliable) that are otherwise good vehicles worth saving and keeping on the road. Seen some old land cruisers and a LR Discovery with LS swaps, and transmissions to go with them. Lots of work, but with the right vehicle, could be worth it.

Hell, you could justify an LS swap on a 4runner just for the increase in MPG that you’ll get lol